Tuesday, September 1, 2026

ABCC & SEABF 2026 in Malaysia A Golden Opportunity for Indonesia, Especially for Two Youth Teams Kuala Lumpur is waiting. Indonesia must not miss this opportunity.

ABCC & SEABF 2026 in Malaysia

A Golden Opportunity for Indonesia, Especially for Two Youth Teams

Kuala Lumpur is waiting. Indonesia must not miss this opportunity.

By Bert Toar Polii
The Bridge Man

There is one international bridge event that, in my opinion, deserves serious attention from Indonesia.

It is:

9th South East Asia Bridge Federation Championships (SEABF)

42nd ASEAN Bridge Club Championships (ABCC)

Both championships will be held on:

7–11 December 2026

at:

Indoor Sports Centre

Olympic Council of Malaysia

Jalan Hang Jebat, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The latest official information regarding the event, schedule and Conditions of Contest is already available.

But after looking carefully at the official poster distributed by the organizers, I believe there is much more useful information that Indonesian players should know.

Because Kuala Lumpur 2026 is not only about bridge.

The location is also highly attractive for players, families, officials and supporters who want to enjoy Kuala Lumpur at the same time.

Two Championships in One Trip

Let us start with the competition itself.

The SEABF Championships are intended for players who meet the nationality requirements of NBOs belonging to the South East Asia Bridge Federation.

Meanwhile:

The ASEAN Bridge Club Championships are more broadly open to players.

So there are two dimensions taking place at the same time:

SEABF = national representation.

ABCC = a more open club competition.

That is what makes this event particularly interesting.

Indonesia will not only have the opportunity to compete under the national flag, but will also have the chance to compete through the strength of its clubs.

The Most Attractive Opportunity: Two Youth Teams with FREE ENTRY

Now we come to what I believe is the most important point for Indonesia.

Each country is entitled to free entry for two Youth Teams.

But there is one very important condition:

the free entry is given according to the order of registration.

In other words:

First come, first served.

The first two Youth Teams from Indonesia to be registered will receive an exemption from the entry fee.

Even more importantly:

The registration form has already been prepared and is ready to be completed.

Therefore, I believe this opportunity should be taken immediately.

Indonesia must not wait until it is too late and discover that the two free-entry slots have already been taken.

Why Am I Emphasizing Youth So Much?

Because regeneration cannot be achieved simply by talking about it.

Young players must be given experience.

They need to meet players from other countries.

They need to feel the pressure of international competition.

They need to experience both winning and losing.

They need to learn how to communicate with their partners during a real competition.

And, most importantly:

they need to learn how to compete.

Not all of these skills can be acquired by playing at home or online.

International competition provides a completely different experience.

That is why I see the two free-entry Youth Teams not merely as a facility offered by the organizers.

It is:

an investment opportunity for the future of Indonesian bridge.

Kuala Lumpur: A Very Strategic Venue

Now let us look at the location.

The Indoor Sports Centre, Olympic Council of Malaysia, is located on Jalan Hang Jebat, Kuala Lumpur.

What makes the venue particularly attractive is its location.

The official poster highlights several advantages:

close to Chinatown,
close to Petaling Street,
close to the Merdeka 118 area,
directly opposite the Merdeka 118 complex and Park Hyatt,
excellent public transportation access,
and surrounded by a wide range of hotels and restaurants.

This is important.

Bridge players will spend most of their time at the table.

But after finishing a session, they do not need to travel far to find food, shopping or entertainment.

Hotel Olympic Malaysia Is Right at the Venue

This may be one of the most interesting pieces of information for participants.

Hotel Olympic Malaysia is located within the Wisma OCM complex on Jalan Hang Jebat, making it extremely convenient for participants.

Imagine:

Wake up → breakfast → go downstairs → play bridge.

No need to worry about a long journey to the venue.

After a long session:

go back to your room → rest → return to play.

For a competition that can run from morning until late afternoon or evening, this is a major advantage.

There Are Many Other Hotel Options

The official poster also emphasizes that the area around the venue offers a wide range of accommodation options for different budgets.

Participants therefore do not have to stay at the same hotel.

The Chinatown/Petaling Street area has numerous accommodation choices, ranging from budget hotels to high-end properties.

For players traveling with family or friends, this gives them plenty of flexibility.

My advice would be:

Book early.

The closer the hotel is to the venue, the more convenient it will be during the competition.

Chinatown: A Major Bonus for Participants

For me, this is one of the biggest attractions of ABCC & SEABF 2026.

The venue is close to Kuala Lumpur Chinatown.

And Chinatown is not merely a tourist attraction.

It is one of Kuala Lumpur's most interesting food districts.

Around Petaling Street and Jalan Sultan, players can find a huge variety of food at different price levels.

So after a long day at the bridge table, there is no need to eat at the hotel every night.

A short walk or quick ride can take you into the heart of Kuala Lumpur's food scene.

Food Around the Venue

There are many dining choices around the venue and Chinatown.

Among them are restaurants around Jalan Hang Jebat, Jalan Sultan and Petaling Street.

Participants can find everything from local Chinese cuisine and Malaysian specialties to vegetarian and international food.

For those looking for vegetarian or vegan options, Chinatown also offers restaurants catering to those preferences.

And for participants looking for a more sophisticated dining experience, the nearby Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur offers fine-dining options.

So the area provides a very wide range:

street food → local restaurants → international cuisine → fine dining.

Merdeka 118 Is Just Around the Corner

The official poster also highlights the venue's proximity to Merdeka 118.

And this is not just another landmark.

Merdeka 118 has become one of Kuala Lumpur's most recognizable modern icons.

For participants staying at Hotel Olympic Malaysia, the landmark is extremely close.

That means participants do not need to make a special trip just to see one of Kuala Lumpur's most famous sights.

Park Hyatt for a Fine-Dining Experience

The Merdeka 118 area is also home to Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.

For those who want a premium dining experience, Park Hyatt offers several restaurants and lounges, including Merdeka Grill and Park Lounge.

So participants can combine their bridge trip with a memorable culinary experience.

Don't Forget Petaling Street

If you are already in Kuala Lumpur for ABCC & SEABF, it would be a shame not to visit Petaling Street.

Petaling Street is one of the centers of Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown and is famous for its combination of:

food,
shopping,
markets,
heritage buildings,
and nightlife.

The area is very close to the venue and is particularly convenient for participants staying nearby.

So after a day of bridge, there is plenty to explore.

Excellent Transportation Connectivity

Another advantage highlighted by the official poster is the venue's excellent transportation connectivity.

The area is located in central Kuala Lumpur and has good access to the city's public transportation network.

From around the venue, participants can easily travel to:

Chinatown

Pasar Seni

Bukit Bintang

KLCC

and other major areas of Kuala Lumpur.

For international participants, this is a major advantage.

There is no need to rely on taxis or private cars for every trip.

Very Suitable for Families

I even see ABCC & SEABF 2026 as an event that would work very well for families.

Imagine a player competing during the day while family members can:

go shopping,
explore Chinatown,
enjoy local food,
visit Merdeka 118,
go to Bukit Bintang,
or visit other Kuala Lumpur attractions.

So a trip to Kuala Lumpur does not have to be:

“Go there, play bridge and go home.”

It can become:

“Bridge + family holiday.”

A Venue with Bridge Heritage

There is another interesting detail in the official poster.

This venue is not unfamiliar with international bridge.

The poster states that it has previously hosted:

2011 APBF Championships

as well as:

2014 and 2019 SEABF/ASEAN Championships.

This means Kuala Lumpur already has experience hosting major international bridge events.

The organizers are therefore not starting from scratch.

Competition Schedule

The competition program runs over five days.

7 December 2026

Mixed Teams

09:30–19:00

Entry fee: US$150

8 December 2026

Open Pairs

09:30–19:00

Entry fee: US$100

9–10 December 2026

Qualifying rounds:

Open Teams
Ladies Teams
Senior Teams
Youth Teams

Entry fees:

Open/Ladies/Senior Teams: US$400

Youth Teams: US$100

But:

The first two Youth Teams from each country receive FREE ENTRY, according to the order of registration.

11 December 2026

Final & Consolation Rounds

09:30–17:30

Followed by:

Victory Dinner & Prize Giving

19:00–21:00

So the Strategy Is Simple

For Indonesia, I see several steps that should be taken immediately.

First

Select the two Youth Teams that will take advantage of the free entry.

Second

Complete the registration forms that have already been prepared.

Third

Do not wait until the deadline because the free-entry benefit is based on registration order.

Fourth

Start preparing the partnerships and training program.

Fifth

For confirmed participants, start comparing hotel options.

Sixth

Plan flights, accommodation and transportation early.

The venue is surrounded by hotels and restaurants, but the most strategically located accommodation may fill up quickly when the event approaches.

Kuala Lumpur Offers the Complete Package

Looking at the whole picture, ABCC & SEABF 2026 offers a very attractive combination:

World-class bridge

An experienced venue

Central-city location

Hotels close to the venue

Chinatown and Petaling Street

Merdeka 118

A wide range of food

Excellent transportation

Two free-entry Youth Teams for every country

For me, this is more than enough reason for Indonesia to prepare seriously.

And Everything Starts with Two Youth Teams

Sometimes a major program begins with something very simple.

In this case:

Two Youth Teams.

Two registration forms.

Two registrations.

And one decision:

Are we going to take this opportunity, or let it pass?

In my opinion, the answer is obvious.

Take the opportunity.

We are not simply sending young players to Kuala Lumpur.

We are giving them an opportunity to discover the wider world of bridge.

They will compete.

They will learn.

They will make friends with players from other countries.

They will experience the atmosphere of international competition.

And perhaps, several years from now, one or more of them will become key players for Indonesia.

Kuala Lumpur 2026: Bridge, Friendship & Experience

There is one phrase that perfectly captures the spirit of this event:

Bridge for Friendship, Bridge for Excellence.

Kuala Lumpur offers both.

At the bridge table, we compete.

Away from the table, we make friends.

And for young players, the experience they gain may become an important foundation for their long journey in the world of bridge.

Tuesday, September 1, 2026